Tuesday, March 12, 2013

A new committee was announced today by INDYCAR intended to 'create a formalized communication platform with various industry stakeholders on competition- and technical-related matters'.

"We believe it's important to create a forum for drivers, team owners and manufacturers to have organized and structured input to the series as we look to make important decisions that directly impact on-track competition," said Jeff Belskus, INDYCAR's interim CEO. "The creation of this committee builds a formalized process to vet proposed initiatives with safety and competition always top-of- mind. Once we receive a recommendation from the Competition Committee, the series will evaluate it from a commercial and business standpoint in order to make a final decision."

The 11-member Competition Committee will be made up of two INDYCAR management reps appointed by Jeff Belskus (One of which will be named committee chairman), two active IZOD IndyCar Series team reps appointed by teams, two driver reps appointed by the drivers, four manufacturer reps appointed one each by Dallara, Firestone, Honda & Chevrolet, and one at-large member appointed INDYCAR CEO, Jeff Belskus.

According to the INDYCAR press release:

INDYCAR will determine the initiatives sent to the committee for review. To make recommendations to the sanctioning body, each committee member will have one vote. Once a majority vote is achieved, the committee chairman will submit the recommendation to the INDYCAR CEO for review. The INDYCAR CEO will then notify the committee of the sanctioning body's final decision.

The Competition Committee will meet several times throughout the year evaluating 'competition-related matters, including rules, technical specifications and safety initiatives'.

INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard announced a similar committee in 2010 designed to choose the next generation formula, resulting in the DW12.